BIRTHDAY PAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 127, 31 May 1941, Page 15

BIRTHDAY PAGE

"WELCOME TO . . ." "Gipsy Lass" (13) Lower Hutt "May Day Elf" (10) ... Lower Hutt "Chatterbox" (13) Lower Hutt "Fairy Lily" (6) Miramar "Rear Gunner" (12) Upper Hutt "The Red Rider" (7) Wadestown "Rosy Apple" (13) Berhampore John Bateman (9) Cape Saunders

"John 8.," Cape Saunders.—How interesting to live in a lighthouse, John. I had no idea the "Fairy Binjf" travelled so far and your letter was a great surprise. Do write again and greetings from our elves to Shirley and wee Margaret. "Lady of the Clouds," City.—Your verses, with the illustration, will be printed nest week, "Cloud Lady." Don't you think the younger elves will find "The Elfin School" an invitation to paint-brushes? "Moon Mist," City.—Your verse is improving, lass. I like "Poplars" immensely. Haven't you something in common with the Geraldine of your story ? "Rosy Morn," City.—Letterbox Elf hopes you are enjoying the tale of adventure, for he confesses that ho chose one that suited his own ideas. Just as well he never has time to put even the tip of his nose in a book these days. "Fairy Twinkle-eyes," Seatoun. —I'm so glad you managed to squeeze in a visit to the Ring at the end of the d;iy. 1 hope you raced the darkness home and that you'll come again one day. Love to Roderick! "Little Blue Cloak," City.—Another holiday visitor who found the way to the Ring for the first time! I am pleased to find that you are a storymaker, fay. Will you send one of your tales soon ? . "Silver Chimes," Newtown.—l wonder whether this new member is an authoress too. If you are an artist, "Silver Chimes," you'll love to paint the candle fairies. "The Red Rider," Wadestown.—Three letters in one! What a surprise the Elf had when he opened the envelope. We're glad you have decided to become a member, Philip, as both of your sisters belong. "Rosy Apple," Berhampore.—A warm welcome to our new apple-elf. It is a good penname for autumn days. I like the poem and specially its coloured illustration. Only black and white sketches can be used in the Ring, Jeanette. Did you make up the verses ? "'Snuita," Newtown.—Thank you ever so much for tlie story, " 'Squita." I wish tonight's King were twice as large. I remember your visit and I'm looking forward to your next. "Silver Jewel," Picton.--We all like ihis penname, elf. and think it very appropriate, as your lovely Sounds are clear as silver .jewels. I'm glad there's another poem in the making. "Minnehaha," Wadestown.—Drawing pens and pencils have been busy in this household I enjoyed looking at all the little pictures but they are not quite up to printing standard yet. fiimmiiiiiiiiimiiimimmmimimiimii BIRTHDAY RHYMES BIRTHDAY THOUGHTS. (Original.) There's magic abroad in the King tonight, All the elves and the pixies make merry. For a birthday is always so full of delight. With all kinds of greetings so cheery. So long may we welcome the birthday each year Of our own special page in the Ring. May sunshine and happiness, gladness! and cheer, He the part that we children may bring. "SNOWBALL." Houghton Valley.

THE FAIRY RING. (Original.) I was wand'rlng through the meadows when I saw a wondrous thing, For, looking down, I perceived a dainty Fairy Ring. I did not wait, in case that I should spoil their revelry, But went and hid myself behind a nearby tree. The fairies were dancing hand in hand, And it seemed that 1 belonged to some faraway land. 11 heard the music playing low and sweet, And now and then I heard the sound of dancing feet. I heard the tinkling of a, bell, and then the Queen spoke, And this is what she said to all her fairy folk: "Today is the birthday of the Ring; 'Tis time to dance and time to sing. So, my fairy folk, be happy and gny, For by evening we must away." O'er the meadow I wandered home, Resolving next year that way to roam And see the fairies at their play As they celebrate the King's birthday. "MOON MIST" (13).

"Grey Owl," City.—You were not a great success as a weather prophet but the description of your attempt to read the sky made humorous reading and I'm sure yours wasn't the only umbrella to greet the sun. Good storymaking! I wish we could have found room for "Anne's Adventure" in this evening's Ring. "Aunt Sukie," Island Bay.—Moving house made everything topsy-turvy for a little while, of course. 1 enjoyed your letter and the little story. Your knitting club must be doing some splendid work for the gallant men of the Navy. "Fluff," Lower Hutt.—A little more practice for your sketching pen, pixie. Keep on trying even if your first drawings are not printed. "Vagrant Gipsy," Wadestown. —So our gipsy wandered even across the Tasman Sea. Do tell us more about it. We missed you from your mushroom. Good news that you have drawings and poems to send. "Chatterbox," Lower Hutt. —I have written your name on the roll, Valeric, so now you are really an elf of the Ring. We'll be watching for another letter soon.

"Snowball," Houghton Bay.—But, of course, we remember you and we expect to see you back in the Ring when winter is near. After all it is your work which matters more than your penname, so will you please keep this one?- I'il ask the Ring about-the mittens. "Maria M.," City.—Welcome to the Ring, new elf. Have you thought of a penname yet? I hope you'll come visiting again soon. "Anne F.," Kelburn. —Do you want to join the Ring, Anne ? There was no' letter in your envelope with the poem. "Lilac Lady," Newtown.—lt was nice of you to call after visiting the dentist. We didn't expect any mid-morning visitors as holidays were over, so, you see, your visit was a pleasant surprise. "Fairy Lily," Miramar.—Welcome to Shirley and Margaret's sister. It was a beautifullyprinted letter, Barbara, and Letterbox Elf enjoyed the drawing of John and Joan. "Sky Flower," City.—We look for you always not far from "Cloud Lady" on visiting day and we're not often disappointed. Now we're looking forward to seeing your name in the verse or story columns.

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Colour The Candle Fairies

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PARTY GAMES

CONSEQUENCES. Each guest is given a long piece of paper and a pencil. They begin. "Once upon a time there was a little girl called " (any name). The players, after writing that, fold the part down so it cannot be seen. They then hand it on to the left-hand person. They proceed to write, "She lived " (describe where she lived). They change again, folding over the written part. Going on in this manner the players proceed, the story going on about the adventures she had. Then the papers are unfolded and read aloud. WALNUT RACE. The competitors are given a walnut shell, the hollow part up on a knife. The race is run the same as in "Egg-and-spoon." The first one successfully reaching the tape wins a prize.

RICE PICTURES. The host drops ten grains of rice on paper. The player makes a mark where they have fallen and draws a picture, using the marks as an putline. The best picture-maker is awarded a prize. ANIMAL, BIRD, OR FISH. The players are seated on the floor, the host numbers them. Then he cries to a number, "Name an animal 1-2-3!" If the player called fails to name tlie required thing before the counting is finished or the name has been said by a previous player, she must go out. The host may also cry, "Name a fish," or "Name a bird." The competitor who lasts longest recieves a prize. "MOTHER BEAR" (12). Lower Hutt.

11191111111! 11B1111111111B1111111M111EI! 111111111 i 111111111111111 i 11111111111111111111111111111 ■■ 11 ■ 11111 PIXIE PEOPLE: Fourteen candles flicker in our Fairy Ring tonight . . . more candles than the mushrooms which formed that tiny circle one May evening fourteen years ago. Are you all here together in our Birthday Ring . . . the elves whose letters come to me week by week, the new people we welcome tonight, and all those elves who, though they have passed out of the Ring and into the grown-up world, still write stories and make pictures for your delight? A young poet, Eleanor Milson, aged 13, has written a "Song of Fairyland," which explains our thoughts of a Fairy Ring, or, to give it another name, the Land of Imagination, which it is good to seek sometimes, even when your birthday candles number thrice fourteen! Here are the lines: One wild, free moment of delight! A silken curtain, blown for one brief time By fairy breezes; elfin laughter gay Thrills your heart with music, joy, and rhyme Of happiness. Ah, this is Fairyland! Up to the golden cloudlets let us climb, To the mystic land where we can briefly dwell. Imagination takes its happy flights, And, soaring high into the freshening air, Sees the bright and shining fairy sights ... : Birthday scrapbooks are mounting up ... truly beautiful books that will delight small patients. Thank you to all my elves who have given their spare minutes to .make them. I hope you will enjoy the party stories, games, and drawings that fill our Birthday Page tonight. My love to you all. FAIRIEL. !

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Fairiel Sends An Answer To • . . •

A PIRATE AT THE PARTY: JSTS^/ESS

"PLEASE . . .!" Can any Ring member send directions for knitting mittens to fit a schoolgirl? If so, would she please send them to "Snowball," care of the Fairy King, "Evening Post"? Jeanette Collier, aged 13, 79 Herald Street, Berhampore, would like to receivp letters from Rinse members.

"Spring Bud," Upper Hutt.—We send birthday wishes for year ten. What a long list of presents for one lucky elf. Best of luck for the exams. "Honey Queen," Pukerua Bay.—l hope you enjoyed your holidays, pixiekin. We are always pleased to see a letter from this seaside mushroom. "Mother Bear," Lower Hutt.—l'm sure you and "Bush Elf" had lots to discuss. We could almost sniff the perfume of that daphne tree as we read your garden news, laa paper doll cut-out is very nicely drawn. "Bush Elf," SHverstream.—l think there must have been a conspiracy between you and "Sunray Sally," for you wrote a story about "Dewdrop," and, hey presto! there appeared a # drawing of that same small fairy. "Stiver Eye," City.—A new scrapbook that you'd love to see, pixiekin, for in it there is your favourite "Blondie" and beautiful water-colour sketches by our "Buster" elves. "Brian C," Upper Hutt.—l'm glad you came to the Ring with Grace, Brian. I wonder if you too are good at drawing ships and aeroplanes like most of our boy members ? "Peg o' My Heart," Ngalo.—Ever so many letters this week from new friends who, until these holidays, were only penfriends. It was nice to find yours among them . . . although there was a lecture in it ... and I remembered to ask every visitor to sign the Visitors' Book after that! "Pink Water-lily," Ngaio.—Exciting to be able to buy toffee apples at school. I 'spect It was to help with war funds. Your collec- . tion of leaves is growing quite large. Our elf, "Southerly Buster," has a very good collection. "Bonny," Lower Hutt.—Thank you for the little sketch tucked in with your note. Something tells me that you are a very good basketball player. I like the drawing of the pixie postman. "Grace C," Upper Hutt.—l'm sure you are longing for another painting competition, Grace. Try the candle fairy picture in this page tonight. It- will make a dainty Xew Year calendar picture if you save it till the end o' the year. ' "Gipsy Lass," Lower Hutt.—Splendid news of | stories and poems, Barbara. Pop them into i your nearest letterbox. We're very glad to welcome another of "Blinking Billy's" friends. "May Day Elf," Lower Hutt.—And a cheery welcome to you, Peggy. We have a large circle of ten-year-olds in the Ring, and among them are some of our best artists and verse-makers. Write again soon. elf. lUMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii THE DEWDROP GOWN (Original.) Poor little Bluebell was as worried • as worried could be. She had been invited to the Fairy Queen's Ball, and had no dress to wear. "Oh, what can I do?" she cried. Then she had an idea. "I think I know. I'll make a neAv dress-fashion in Fairyland." So, with all the money that she had left, she bought a million dewdrops, which she strung together into the shape of a dress. It rippled and

gleamed like silver mail! With the petals of some bluebells she made herself a beautiful cloak. A thousand old glow-worms willingly gave their fire, which Bluebell wove into a shining tiara. New and dainty it looked.

Carrying her gift of violet wine for Fairiel, she hurried to the Fairy Palace. Having presented her gift to the Queen, she'began dancing with a little pi&ie dressed in scarlet. At midnight Fairiel announced the winner of the prize for the prettiest and most original dress. Little Bluebell was the lucky winner! Amid cheering and clapping she stepped up to the throne and received her prize. Because she had created the new fashion in Fairyland, Bluebell became the fairies' fashion expert. "BUSH ELF" (12). Silverstream.

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